Toronto Maple Leafs: 6 ideal forwards to target at trade deadline

Toronto Maple Leafs trade deadline target: Mikael Granlund

Time to move on to the players who fit Dubas’ desire for a pure rental starting with Mikael Granlund.

This was a player the Leafs were interested in signing during the off-season but he opted to return to Nashville on a one-year deal. Now it is likely he finishes his season somewhere else and Toronto likely remains a favoured destination.

He would be able to compliment the Leafs’ top two lines as a player that can compliment high-end scorers. Toronto could also play him at centre on the third line if they need to shake things up.

Where the Leafs would also see the main benefit of adding Granlund is on the penalty kill which remains a problem for the team. He can also help the team’s second power-play unit and push someone to the top line.

In terms of a deal, Toronto will likely ask Nashville to retain and shouldn’t have to move a first-rounder considering Granlund only has 10 points in 26 games.